For what is to become of me, if you avoid and reject me?
Still, I would not retain you by deceit.

And if you mean to reject me, do so now, and return alone to the shore.

I will dive into this brook, which is my uncle; and here in the forest, far removed from other friends, he passes his strange and solitary life.

He is, however, powerful, and is esteemed and beloved by many great streams; and as he brought me hither to the fisherman, a light-hearted, laughing child, he will take me back again to my parents, a loving, suffering, and soul-endowed woman." She was about to say still more, but Huldbrand embraced her with the most heartfelt emotion and love, and bore her back again to the shore.

It was not till he reached it, that he swore amid tears and kisses, never to forsake his sweet wife, calling himself more happy than the Greek Pygmalion, whose beautiful statue received life from Venus and became his loved one.